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As an important ecosystem of the planet, wetlands play a pivotal role in carbon storage. For alpine regions, safeguarding wetland carbon storage (WCS) has become an integral aspect of sustainable development. To explore the correlation between WCS and sustainable development, we predicted wetland patterns and WCS on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) for 2030 under four scenarios. Utilizing the spatial boundaries of protected areas (PAs), we evaluated current and future changes in the representation and effectiveness of WCS protection. Furthermore, a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model was used to identify the relationship between WCS protection and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The results showed that lakes and reservoirs/ponds were the largest and smallest wetland types on the QTP, respectively, and both displayed an increasing trend from 2000 to 2020, while other wetland types mostly exhibited an opposite trend. Scenario analysis revealed the largest increase in river area compared to 2020 under the comprehensive development scenario (CDS), reaching 6.88%. Across all scenarios, lakes would increase by approximately 6%, primarily due to distance to water and population density. The economic development scenario (EDS) experienced the greatest reduction in swamps. Under these four scenarios, compared to 2020, WCS hotspots displayed varying degrees of decline, with the ecological conservation scenario (ECS) experiencing the most significant reduction (4.2%) and the EDS experiencing the least reduction (0.14%). Only swamps and rivers conservation representation can be improved in 2030. For WCS outside PAs, the most significant enhancement was achieved under ECS for all wetlands except rivers. 6 classes of seriously, moderate, slight incoordination and barely, moderate, high coordination areas were detected based on the CCD analysis. Among the above zones, over 65% of prefecture-level municipalities on the QTP exhibited better than barely coordination levels in 2010, and by 2020, the figure had exceeded 69%. This study deepens understanding of the relationship between WCS and sustainable development in alpine plateaus, and provides decision-making support for coordinate regional development and wetland conservation. [Display omitted] • Assessing the wetland carbon storage on the world's highest plateau. • The conservation representation of swamps and rivers might be improved in 2030. • 69% of cities on the QTP exhibited better CCD than barely coordination in 2020. • Ecological conservation scenario improves wetland carbon storage more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ecosystem health (EH) assessment integrating ecosystem service (ES) is developed. • EH patterns are heterogeneous and become balanced from 2000 to 2020 in Fujian, China. • Significant positive effect of EH on tea product is revealed with coefficient 0.86. • The trade-off was quantified between economic development, EH and tea production. Ecosystem health (EH) maintenance and improvement are important goals in environmental and ecological management, and help realize regional sustainable development goals. EH assessment and the regulatory mechanism have remained popular research fields in landscape ecology science. However, the improvement in EH assessment methods is ongoing, the influences of EH and socioeconomic development on agricultural production remain unclear. In this study, we chose Fujian Province in China as the study area, first quantitatively assess EH based on the Vigor–Organization–Resilience–Services (VORS) model, and thereafter explore the response of tea production to EH and socioeconomic development using the structural equation model (SEM). We found that the mean EH value in Fujian Province was 0.52 in 2010, which was 6.12% and 10.64% higher than that in 2000 and 2020, respectively. The high-EH-value regions were distributed in the northwest, while the southeastern regions exhibited low-EH-value agglomerations. According to the temporal evolution characteristics of EH, the kernel density curve patterns exhibited single peaks, and the curves shifted from a broad to a narrow peak from 2000 to 2020, indicating a trend toward a more balanced distribution of EH spatially. SEM results showed a significant positive effect of EH on tea production with a coefficient of 0.86. However, there is a significant trade-off between EH and economic development, as indicated by a coefficient of −0.6. There are also negative indirect effects on tea development when mediated by economic development. However, the overall effect of EH on tea production is 0.8, indicating that EH is still effective in promoting tea production. The results of this study have implications for the integration of ecosystem management and agricultural production management in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several typical pristine Pt/C and Au/C catalysts were investigated for glycerol oxidation to various C 1 -C 3 ketone/acid products via experiments, kinetics analysis, and DFT calculations. The higher metallic state and increased d electrons of Pt/C promote strong adsorption of OH– and enhance oxygen activation, leading to higher selectivity towards lactic acid by facilitating dehydration of C-OH in glyceraldehyde and promoting timely desorption of lactic acid species. Conversely, Au/C exhibits enhanced oxidative cleavage of the C-C bond in glyceric acid leading to increased production of glycolic acid products. Expanding to bimetallic catalysts, it was observed that catalysts with higher Au content exhibit enhanced selectivity towards the oxidation of glyceric acid to glycolic acid, while those with a higher Pt ratio demonstrate increased selectivity for the oxidation of glycerol to lactic acid. [Display omitted] • Several typical pristine Pt/C and Au/C catalysts were investigated for glycerol oxidation via kinetics analysis and DFT calculations. • Pt could facilitate dehydration of C-OH in glyceraldehyde and Au tends to strengthen oxidative cleavage of C-C bond in glyceric acid. • Higher Au content is beneficial to increase selectivity of glycolic acid, whereas higher Pt ratio enhances the selectivity of lactic acid. Fundamental understanding of heterogeneously catalytic aerobic oxidation of polyol is highly desirable for sustainable and efficient chemical synthesis. Herein, based on the purpose of exploring the selectivity of various carboxylic acids on Pt-Au catalysts with different ratios, we conducted a comprehensive investigation into the reaction pathways of glycerol oxidation over pristine Pt/C and Au/C catalysts via experiments, kinetics analysis and DFT calculations. Structural characterizations revealed that Pt/C exhibits a higher metallic state and more d electrons, thus tending to strongly adsorb OH– and promote oxygen activation. Conversely, the weak oxygen activation of Au/C could be attributed to fewer cationic high valence state and d electrons. Furthermore, the Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model and DFT calculations indicate both catalysts exhibit obvious differences in product distribution. Specifically, Pt demonstrated higher selectivity towards lactic acid by facilitating dehydration of C-OH in glyceraldehyde and promoting timely desorption of lactic acid species. In contrast, Au displayed more glycolic acid products caused by strengthening oxidative cleavage of C-C bond in glyceric acid. Expanding to bimetallic catalysts, it was observed that catalysts with higher Au content exhibit enhanced selectivity towards the oxidation of glyceric acid to glycolic acid, while those with a higher Pt ratio demonstrate increased selectivity for the oxidation of glycerol to lactic acid. These findings provide valuable insights for guiding the design and optimization of this catalytic process to achieve targeted product generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulk nanoporous tungsten as an extremely strong and low density nanocrystalline material was for the first time created to satisfy the need for advanced high performance materials that can endure harsh environments. Synthesis of nanoporous tungsten was achieved by a unique procedure involving severe plastic deformation of a coarse-grained tungsten-copper composite followed by selective dissolution of the nobler copper phase. The used ammonium persulfate etching solution, in which the less noble tungsten is chemically stable, is proved to be effective in removing the nobler copper phase. A nanoporous microstructure characterized by a network of interconnected nanocrystalline tungsten ligaments and interconnected nanopores was obtained. Based on a high-resolution interface analysis, the underlined mechanisms for formation of the nanoporous tungsten structure were elucidated. Moreover, using nanoindentation we demonstrate that, due to the nanoscale microstructure, the created nanoporous tungsten possesses outstanding strength, making it an attractive material for applications in radiation shielding. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Phase changes of natural hematite are often practiced to improve heavy metal removal and magnetism for easy recycling. In this work, pinewood biomass (PB) and natural hematite (H) admixtures were pyrolyzed at 300, 450 and 600 °C under N 2 environment to prepare HBC nanocomposites (HBC300, HBC450 and HBC600). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the reductive transformation of hematite (crystallite size ≈ 47 nm) into magnetite (25 nm) and further to wustite (25 nm) and zerovalent iron (48 nm). The Langmuir isotherms showed that the maximum sorption capacities of HBC300, HBC450, and HBC600 were 173, 138, and 130 mmol kg−1 for Cd2+, and 359, 172, and 197 mmol kg−1 for Cu2+, respectively. The higher pH up to 5 increased sorption of both Cd2+ and Cu2+, whereas the higher ionic strength (0.05–0.4 M) decreased Cd2+ sorption. Sorption of Cd2+ and Cu2+ by HBC300 was accompanied by one order of magnitude greater cation release than HBC450 and HBC600. In a binary system, Cd2+ sorption was depressed by over four times in presence of Cu2+. Overall, ion exchange was more pronounced for HBC300, and Cu2+ was more favorably retained by specific sorption than Cd2+. The greater magnetism of HBC nanoparticles favors separation from aqueous solutions. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Pinewood facilitated transformation of natural hematite as α-Fe 2 O 3 → Fe 3 O 4 → FeO → Feo. • Crystallite size of Fe oxide dropped from 47 to 25 nm between 300 and 600 °C. • Cd2+ and Cu2+ sorption by biochar composites was over five times higher than pristine precursors. • Biochar composites prepared at 300 °C over 450 and 600 °C was more favorable for Cd2+ and Cu2+ removal. • Cu2+ was more preferentially retained by specific retention mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Co-substrate strategy could favor to resist photo-H 2 O 2 stress on biofilm in ICPB. • Living cells enhanced by 19.6%, and cell morphology showed no disinfection. • Shannon index increased from 3.45 to 4.05, showed promoted microbial diversity. • The improvements caused 4-CP and COD removal to increase by ∼27% and ∼23%, respectively. Abstract Intimately coupled photocatalysis and biodegradation (ICPB) is an emerging technology for treating refractory wastewater. The prerequisite of successful ICPB is that photocatalytic reactive oxygen species (ROSs) attack refractory pollutants and yield biodegradable intermediates, but “instantly” extinct before they transfer to the biofilms. However, photocatalytic induced H 2 O 2 (a typical ROS) is different from others due to its long half-life. Photo-H 2 O 2 in ICPB could potentially damage the biofilm; however, this has not been verified to date. In this study, we show that photo-H 2 O 2 damages biofilms in ICPB, and we successfully addressed this issue using a strategy with the co-substrate (NaAC). Under H 2 O 2 stress, the living cell percentage in ICPB dropped significantly, and the cell morphology presented the disinfection of bacteria cells, with enlarged size and disappeared organelles. By adding NaAC, the living cell percentage increased by 19.6% and the bacterial intracellular structure became integrated. The Shannon index increased from 3.45 to 4.05, indicating enhanced microbial diversity. Thauera and Dechloromonas were dominant genera, which played important roles in the breaking of the aromatic ring and in dechlorinating. As a result, 4-CP removal and mineralization increased by ∼27% and ∼23%, respectively. Here, we identified the negative effects of photo-H 2 O 2 on the microbial survival of ICPB and for the first time propose an efficient co-substrate strategy to remedy this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triboelectric nanogenerators and sensors have been widely adopted for diversified energy harvesting and sensing applications, but the demonstrations of 3D information sensing and controlling are very limited. In this paper, we present a novel self-powered virtual reality 3D-control sensor (VR-3D-CS) based on triboelectric mechanism for controlling the attitude (both the position and rotation) of object in 3D virtual space. This innovative, cost-effective, simple-designed sensor has a symmetric 3D structure with eight separated sensing electrodes and two touching spheres as the interactive interface with human fingers for 3D force information sensing and VR controlling. Based on the coupling effect of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction, the VR-3D-CS generates different electric output signals in response to different operation manner that can be used to control the attitude of objects in 3D virtual space. The symmetrical 3D configuration design of the sensor enables the detection of 3D force from both the normal direction and shear direction. By employing vector properties of force and signal analysis from the eight sensing electrodes, detection of six-axis directions in 3D space is achieved by triboelectric mechanism for the first time. The VR-3D-CS has been demonstrated to be able to detect normal force in the range of 0–18 N. It can resolve the shear force direction with step resolution of at least 15°. Besides, due to the positive output voltage and low internal impedance, the VR-3D-CS is readily compatible with commercial portable signal processing system for signal analysis and controlling. Demonstration of the VR-3D-CS as interactive interface for Augmented Reality (AR) control is successfully realized. The robust structure, stable output performance and self-powered sensing property enable the device as an ideal human machine interface towards AR interface, batteryless and energy saving applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building reinforcement projects are designed to meet the requirements of modern sustainable development. However, the weak bonding performance of continuous glass fiber textiles to mortar presents a challenge in the manufacturing of GTRM composites, hindering their development and application. In this study, the gradient composite design technique was used to modify the interface transition zone between continuous glass fiber textile and mortar by introducing epoxy resin. This successfully resolved the issue of poor bonding between the continuous glass fiber textile and mortar interface, and promoted effective stress transfer between the two materials. The GTRM composites with an interfacial gradient structure exhibit excellent mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 8 MPa and an interfacial shear force exceeding 27 KN. In addition, digital image correlation (DIC) was utilized to investigate the growth and development of cracks in GTRM composites, and the failure mechanism of tensile and interfacial shear tests was analyzed. Finally, the externally bonded GTRM composites were subjected to a three-point bending test, which demonstrated a significant improvement in the flexural strength and crack resistance of concrete beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R) is a ligand-regulated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone involved in cardiac hypertrophy, but it is not known whether Sig-1R is regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs). According to bioinformatic analysis, miR-297 was suggested as a potential target miRNA for Sig-1R. Therefore, we verified whether miR-297 could target Sig-1R and investigated the possible mechanisms underlying the role of miR-297 in cardiac hypertrophy. Main methods Bioinformatic analysis combined with laboratory experiments, including quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting, and luciferase assay, were performed to identify the target miRNA of Sig-1R. Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NCMs) stimulated with angiotensin II (AngII) were used to explore the relationship between miR-297 and Sig-1R. Additionally, the function of miR-297 in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and ER stress/unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling pathway was investigated by transfecting miR-297 mimics/inhibitor. Key findings miR-297 levels were increased in both TAC-induced hypertrophic heart tissue and AngII-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Up-regulation of miR-297 by specific mimics exacerbated AngII-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, whereas inhibition of miR-297 suppressed the process. During cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, Sig-1R expression, which was negatively regulated by miR-297 by directly targeting its 3′untranslated region (UTR), was decreased. Furthermore, attenuation of miR-297 inhibited the activation of X-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1) and activating transcriptional factor 4 (ATF4) signaling pathways in NCMs. Significance Our data demonstrate that miR-297 promotes cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by inhibiting the expression of Sig-1R and activation of ER stress signaling, which provides a novel interpretation for cardiac hypertrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological land is an important component of urban ecosystems. Detecting the change of urban ecological land and its driving forces will offer scientific basis for the optimization of urban landscape patterns. The rapid urbanization in Shenzhen City has brought the serious conflicts between socio-economic development and ecological protection. In this study, we characterized ecological land dynamics in Shenzhen City and quantified the driving forces using multivariate logistic regression, and subsequently mapped the transition probability of ecological land. The results showed that in Shenzhen City, urban ecological land had changed dramatically during 1990–2010 in terms of its quantity, quality, and spatial distribution. Land use change matrix between ecological and non-ecological land showed that the area of ecological land decreased more fast during 1990–2000, compared with that during 2000–2010. There was a decrease in area equivalents calculated by the adjustment coefficient of ecosystem services, although the quality per unit was improved. Furthermore, the gravity center of ecological land gradually moved to the southeast. The driving force analysis suggested that the slope, the minimum distance to construction land, and the growth rate of construction land were the vital factors determining the change of urban ecological land. Finally, the transition probability mapping showed that the water body, wetland and grassland near the city center had a higher transition probability to construction land. This study illustrated the change characteristics of urban ecological land, as a result of rapid urbanization. The transition probability can serve as the basis for decision making on constructing urban landscape ecological security pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Stress-strain curves and crack development of TRM composites under tension exhibit four stages. • The fiber bundle configurations of reinforced textiles are the main factors affecting the tensile failure mechanism of TRM composites. • Factors influencing the interfacial bonding response in double-lap shear tests are explored. The purpose of this paper is to study tensile properties and interfacial bonding properties of textile reinforced mortar composites (TRM) widely used for externally strengthening damaged buildings. Based on the digital image correlation (DIC) method and finite element (FE) simulation, the tensile and interfacial shear test results of steel fiber textile and carbon fiber textile reinforced mortar composites were analyzed. First, DIC was used to detect the crack onset and propagation of the specimen during the tensile process. The concept of gradient interface was introduced to improve the bonding performance. The effects of the hydration degree of mortar, and reinforcing textile type on interfacial bonding properties were then evaluated through double-lap shear testing. Last, the stress distribution and load transfer during textile pull-out from the mortar were analyzed based on FE simulation with the bond-slip law extracted from the double-lap shear experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A comprehensive ecological risk framework integrating ES and LER is developed. • Low risk area accounts for the highest proportion of ES supply–demand risk areas. • Very high and high LER decreased by 1.5% and 5.45% from 2010 to 2020. • Over 60% of Qinghai is designated as having ecological risks. • Adaptive suggestions are proposed for risk warning and ecological conservation. Clarifying the spatiotemporal variations in ecosystem service (ES) supply and demand helps to understand natural-social coupled systems, and comprehensive landscape ecological risk (LER) assessment is the basis for risk warning. However, it is still a huge challenge to incorporate ES supply and demand into ecological adaptive management. In this study, we defined and identified ES supply and demand risk (ESSDR), and integrated it into LER assessment to develop a comprehensive ecological risk framework. Using InVEST model and multi-source data, this study explicitly quantified the spatiotemporal variations of ESSDR of soil retention (ESSDRI_SR), carbon sequestration (ESSDRI_CS), water yield (ESSDRI_WY), LER of Qinghai Province in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during 2010–2020. The results indicated that all ESSDRs and LER showed spatial heterogeneity. Among the ESSDR areas, the low risk areas accounted for the highest proportion, with ESSDRI_CS, ESSDRI_SR and ESSDRI_WY accounting for 4.83%, 14.84% and 12.45%, respectively. The area of very high and high LER decreased by 1.5% and 5.45% from 2010 to 2020, reaching 19.05% and 22.74%, respectively. The comprehensive ecological risk assessment showed that over 60% of Qinghai is designated as having ecological risks. However, the region with the most risk co-occurrence (risk group 4) accounted for 0.11% of Qinghai's area. At last, adaptive suggestions were proposed for risk management and ecological conservation. This research provides and illustrates an innovative method for comprehensive ecological risk assessment, which could substantially enhance the scientific foundation on which ecological risk assessment is based and policy-making that follow compared to traditional LER framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of rare earth elements (Y 2 O 3 , Y and La) on the consolidation behavior, microstructure and mechanical properties of tungsten alloys were investigated in this work. The starting powders were mechanical alloyed (MA) and then consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS). It was found that Y doping was beneficial to obtain fully dense tungsten alloys with more refined grains as compared to any other rare earth elements. The maximum values of Vickers microhardness and bending strength obtained from W–0.5 wt.% Y alloy reached up to 614.4 HV 0.2 and 701.0 MPa, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we prepared a kind of carbon fibre/matrix composite honeycomb using carbon fibre and epoxy resin with compression molding technique. Composite Honeycomb Sandwich was prepared by gluing composite honeycomb with composite panels. Mechanical performance of the Composite Honeycomb Sandwich was characterized using finite element analysis (FEA) and three point bending performance. Results indicate that when suffering from bending loads, stress concentration is located at the loading zone as well as supporting zone. When bending load increases to 7200N, cracks occur on the interface between honeycomb and composite panel, the failure mode is interfacial de-bonding between honeycomb core and composite panel. Result of three-point bending performance indicates that composite honeycomb Sandwich breaks down when bending load increases to 6800N, which agrees with FEA results. Compared with traditional aluminum and Nomex honeycomb Sandwich, carbon fibre/epoxy Honeycomb Sandwich has higher bending strength. It can be used in aviation and aerospace industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The antioxidant activity of glucose–histidine MRPs (GH) and fractionated GH, obtained from the elution of GH on Bio-gel P-2 column, was evaluated for their DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity and reducing power, which illustrated that fraction H7 was of the greatest antioxidant activity. The further investigation identified 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DDMP) as the major compound in fraction H7 by employing GC–MS analysis and HPLC analysis, with the latter also confirming the antioxidant activity of DDMP by comparison of HPLC chromatograms of fraction H7 (or DDMP) before and after reaction with DPPH radical, ABTS radical or ferric ion. Finally, the comparison of the antioxidant activity of DDMP, fraction H7 and GH by UV–vis analysis showed their antioxidant activity was in the following order: DDMP>fraction H7>GH, suggesting that the major contribution of DDMP to the antioxidant activity of fraction H7, thus, DDMP could be identified as a strong antioxidant in GH considering that fraction H7 was of the greatest antioxidant activity among all fractions obtained from the separation of GH by gel filtration chromatography. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Volatile compounds prepared by heating glucose-tyrosine and glucose-histidine models in water-ethanol and water-glycerol media were studied under different water contents (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, v/v). Aliphatic compounds, cyclopentenones, pyrazines, furans, furanones and pyrones were identified by GC–MS and analysed by factor analysis which showed that the presence of ethanol or glycerol in water could result in the increase of most volatile compounds in the Maillard reaction with the higher amount of volatile compounds formed in water-ethanol media, especially in the 50% ethanol medium. The measurement of antioxidant activity revealed that volatile MRPs prepared in water-ethanol media showed greater DPPH radical scavenging activity than those in water-glycerol media with the maximal DPPH radical scavenging activity observed in 100% ethanol medium for the glucose-tyrosine model and in 75% ethanol medium for the glucose-histidine model. Hence, water-ethanol medium could be used to promote the formation of volatile compounds, especially those with antioxidant activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Vegetation coverage increased along with urbanization in PRD during 2000–2012. • Relationship between vegetation and urbanization varied at 1−20 km scales. • Mean local variance was used to identify appropriate analysis scale. • NTL-LAI appropriate analysis scale was mainly affected by urbanization level. Accurate quantification of the relationship between urbanization level and vegetation coverage can provide scientific support for urban sustainable development. However, the interaction between them across multi-scales is under-researched because of its complexity. Based on climate change (i.e. precipitation, temperature and solar radiation), partial correlation relationship between urbanization level (nighttime light, NTL) and vegetation coverage (leaf area index, LAI) at different scales (1–20 km) in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) was explored. Mean local variance was used to determine the appropriate scale of the relationship, at which these metrics could have the minimum information missing. The consistency in appropriate analysis scales of NTL, LAI, and NTL-LAI, was quantified to identify which factor more influenced the appropriate analysis scale of NTL-LAI correlation. The results showed from 2000 to 2012, the urbanization level increased at the rate of 0.58/yr and the average LAI increased slowly at the rate of 0.02 m2/m2/yr. The partial correlation between NTL and LAI depicted that urbanization promoted vegetation coverage in the PRD. Meanwhile, the appropriate analysis scale of NTL-LAI correlation was more determined by the analysis scale of urbanization level, than that of vegetation coverage. This study revealed the scale effect of the relationship between urbanization level and vegetation coverage, and identified the determine factor of appropriate analysis scale of the relationship, which could help for the scale selection in related studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Developing a novel DHTMP process to enhance naphthenic heavy oil to petrochemicals. • Detailed process simulation, operating parameters optimization are conducted. • System comparison of four naphthenic-based heavy oil processes are carried out. • The DHTMP process has favorable techno-economic and environment performance. Global excess capacity of lubricating oil and high-value added utilization of naphthenic-based heavy oil concerns have attracted tremendous attention. Enhancing the highly efficient transformation for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) rich in naphthenic-based vacuum gas oil to light olefins and aromatics could be a promising solution through systematic process integration. Four naphthenic-based heavy oil processing schemes, hydrotreating, hydrocracking, hydro-upgrading and deep catalytic cracking, and a novel deep hydrogenation coupled with the two stage risers of maximizing propylene process (DHTMP), are brought up. The process simulation and models are established for the processing schemes to gain detailed mass balance and energy consumption results. The operating parameters are optimized for the purpose of maximizing light olefins and aromatics. The economic and life cycle environmental assessment are conducted to determine the superiority of DHTMP process over other schemes. The DHTMP process realized full recovery and utilization of low-value light cycle oil and efficient transformation of PAHs to light olefins and aromatics. Moreover, the DHTMP process shows great performance from the techno-economic and life cycle environment aspect. The results in this study have great guiding significance to the process intensification of PAHs in vacuum gas oil converting to light olefins and aromatics products efficiently. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoporous metallic materials are of great interest to the scientific and industrial communities. To better tailor the mechanical properties to the functional needs, here we examined open-cell nanocrystalline tungsten nanofoams to provide fundamental insight into the correlations between cellular structures and mechanical properties. Depth-sensing nanoindentation tests were performed on tungsten nanofoams with independently varied relative densities and cellular structures to obtain foam mechanical properties. For tungsten nanofoams with self-similar and highly ordered cellular structures, the Young's modulus is insensitive to the ligament size, but varies with the relative density in a close way to the classical Gibson-Ashby scaling law. The flow strength of these regular nanofoams follows the classical scaling behavior only when properly taking into consideration the ligament size effect and corrections for the relative density. Contrarily, tungsten nanofoams with a certain relative density but varied cellular structures exhibit deterioration of both, Young's modulus and flow strength, with increasing structural disorders. This study emphasizes the importance of structural self-similarity when applying the established scaling laws to describe the foam mechanical properties. Meanwhile, it demonstrates that for optimized performance of the nanofoams, cellular architecture is the key factor of consideration. Unlabelled Image • Tungsten nanofoams with varied relative densities and cellular structures were investigated by depth-sensing nanoindentation • High pressure torsion is an effective avenue in eliminating large cells and avoiding cells with strong shape anisotropy • Nanoindentation properties of tungsten nanofoams with self-similar structures follow theoretical scaling equations • Mechanical performance of tungsten foams can be tailored by adjusting cell thickness, cell shape and structural disorder [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurotoxin β - N -methylamino- L -alanine (BMAA) has been widely detected in diverse aquatic organisms within different ecosystem trophic levels in recent years. It was the goal of this study to investigate the accumulation and tissue distribution of BMAA in marine opossum shrimp (Neomysis awatschensis) and freshwater zebrafish (Danio rerio) in exposure experiments. A T-maze test was tentatively adopted to assess the effects of BMAA on the learning and memory ability of zebrafish. Interestingly, N. awatschensis was testified to be capable of accumulating free soluble BMAA from bathing seawater through a biological filtration pathway (max. 110.6 μg g−1 wet weight). BMAA was transferred quickly from viscus to muscle and head tissues of zebrafish after intraperitoneal administration of 16.3 μg BMAA per individual twice in two weeks. BMAA accumulated mainly as the total soluble form in both experimental organisms. Results do not support the hypothesis that free BMAA molecules can be largely incorporated into protein in aquatic animals. Behavior of zebrafish in the T-maze test demonstrated that the short-term learning and memory ability was negatively impacted to some degree after three-days exposure to BMAA. Moreover, on Day 3, certain individual zebrafish exhibited freezing and loitering behavior. However, further investigation will be required to discern the long-term effects of BMAA on animals in order to evaluate the risk of BMAA exposure to human health. • Aquatic animals Neomysis awatschensis and Danio rerio were exposure to BMAA. • N. awatschensis could accumulate soluble BMAA from seawater through filtration. • Injected BMAA was transferred rapidly from viscus to muscle and head of zebrafish. • BMAA could not be largely incorporated into protein in experimental animals here. • BMAA can potentially impact spatial cognition and learning capacity of zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shaking is a critical process in the formation of oolong tea quality, although the metabolites and their changes in this sensitive process have not yet been determined. In this study, untargeted analysis based on ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole–Orbitrap mass spectrometry was conducted to comprehensively profile metabolite changes in different cultivars. Theanine glucoside was identified for the first time in oolong tea. Hierarchical cluster analysis indicated that shaking caused major changes in metabolite levels in oolong tea. Seventy-one, 83 and 73 potential features showed significant differences between pre- and post-shaking samples for var. sinensis cv. "Zimudan", "Shuixian", and "Huangmeigui," respectively. Chemometrics analysis of the three cultivars led to the identification of 18 shared metabolites, including epigallocatechin gallate, phenylalanine, tryptophan, proline, and hydroxy-jasmonic acid, as potential markers. This study identified the metabolites that allow monitoring of tea quality formation during both processing and preservation, and it provides a novel strategy for data reduction in studies to discover key metabolites. Unlabelled Image • Shaking led to major changes in the metabolite profile of oolong tea. • Theanine glucoside was identified for the first time in oolong tea. • For the discovery of tea markers, metabolite profiling of three cultivars was performed. • Eighteen shared metabolites were identified as potential markers of oolong tea. • Dynamic changes and the correlation of potential markers were examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bromodomain PHD finger transcription factor (BPTF), a core subunit of nucleosome-remodeling factor (NURF) complex, plays an important role in chromatin remodeling. However, few information of BPTF is available in pig, especially in mammalian follicular granulosa cells (GCs). The present study firstly confirmed that BPTF in porcine was relative close to human and mouse. The expression of BPTF could be detected in ovary, testes, lung, kidney, large intestine, and small intestine. And a relative high expression of BPTF was observed in ovarian follicles and GCs. When BPTF was knocked down (BPTF-siRNA), the viability of GCs was affected. And the expression level of CDK1 , cyclin B1 , CDK4 and CDK 2 was higher than the control, which might indicate that the cell cycle of GCs was inhibited from S to G2/M phase. Although the apoptosis level was induced in the BPTF-siRNA GCs, the reduced level of H3K4 methylation was detected with the down regulation of SMYD3, EHMT2 and DPY30. Thereby, results in the present might provide the primary knowledge of BPTF in GCs and the follicular development in pig. • BPTF in pig was more conserved with human and was highly expressed in different tissues especially in ovary of pig. • Interfering BPTF resulted in the decreased of porcine granulosa cells activity and the arrest of cell cycle at the G2/M phase. • Interfering BPTF decreased the cell proliferation and increased the apoptosis of porcine granulosa cells. • Knockdown expression of BPTF can lead to a decreased level of H3K4 methylation in porcine granulosa cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]